Realist, was Irwin really 'statistically closer to death every time he cheated death'? That's not the way I was taught statistics - if you toss a coin and get 10 heads in a row, the chances of getting a head at the 11th toss is just the same as at every other toss.

It's probably a more apt truism and more accurate speculation to say that Irwin became too familiar around wildlife and forgot to take precauations, like keeping a safe distance away from a stingray. But then, safety firts maybe didn't suit the Irwin style. He took risks to sell his TV shows. It must be hard to keep exercising sufficient judgement every time.

Irwin might have been a good bloke/decent human being in most respects, but he was a man who played the buffoon while riling up wild animals to get rich from titillating TV. I prefer the quieter, deeper, less exploitative and more educational style of an Attenborough to Irwin's rankling style.

His death is a personal tragedy, but not a wider tragedy. He doesn't deserve the near-beatification that's going on in the media and in some posts on blog sites like this.

Kish...dont waste your energy and anger on that sad,misguided person .This person sits behind a keyboard and would not have the intestinal fortitude to say that to any Australians persons face.

Your energy and love for Steve can be channelled into making a difference where ever you can by taking on board the message he tried so hard and passionately to help us see and be a guardian for animals the way he was...even small ways make a huge difference...

People like 'Proud to be Indonesian' thrive on the misery and grief of others...ignore...it will go away.

That person, with that attitude does not deserve citizenship ..hopefully ,only a tourist.

@Kish:

LOL, calm down mate. Your emotional balance have obviously been knocked off-balance by your demi-god Steve Irwin's demise. I recommend you consume some sleeping pills, get laid, and inhale a good amount of fresh air.

"That harmless stingray didnt decide to kill Steve Irwin."

But it did, didn't it? I wonder why, could it be that Steve was harrassing the poor sea creature?

BTW may the Crocodile Hunter "Rest In Peace".

PK,
Yes steve flirted with danger many times but I doubt if it was contrived as you suggest, that it was in any way to line his own nest..ie for his own gain..It is well documented that Steve and Terry put back every cent they made into buying wilderness tracks here and all over the world.
If Steves shows did show him as a larrikan , a daredevil and if it was calculated(and I doubt there was too much calculation in a 'red cordial guy' like Irwin) it was too attract veiwer attention to bring attention to the plight of animals, to foster a love and interest by regular people because he knew that he could not save them alone.

Pk you cannot say that a guy like Irwin, with everything he gave for our planet, YOUR planet,does,nt deserve all the love and outpouring of grief that is displayed around the world right now...this is no time for cynical mean spirit.
The world loved him and that is no accident for this great aussie bloke with a heart the size of Australia itself.

Scout

Thank you for your post.

Proud to be indonesian,

You have yet to answer any of my questions regarding your residency in the weakling country Australia. "what a suprise". And you refered to me as "mate", so you hate australia yet now your using australian slang and living in the country. Your proud to be indo, yet your parents had to leave their country your so proud of in fear of there lives / provinding idiots like you with a better education (sure hasn't helped in your case). This story sounds so familiar, sounds like the story of many christian chinese indo's, whats fascinating is that I don't know one (of the many I do know) that hates Australia, you would have to be the first to achieve this level of bitterness to the country you are forced to call home.

I will not bother trying to re-educate your three brain cells as to why sting ray's don't intend to kill humans, just keep eating your nasi lemak with sting ray sambal and laughing at aussie drug mules getting hung for their efforts.

OZGIRL,

I would have to say I am in between you and PK on this issue. I respect Steve for all his animal conservation efforts, and he selflessly spent his fortune protecting animals as much as he did living a lavish lifestyle. That is very honourable though no different from many other scientists that make a living out of passion rather than wealth. I also really respect what Steve did for australia. He really did promote our country and our very unique eco system. He made sure that we are unlikely to loose anymore americans to crocodiles in the wilderness. Its a shame his program was not prime time in germany! He did promote our country and I for one believe that coupled with his animal conservation efforts deserves accolade...